Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Winter Jacket advice

Hi all, I am putting together my Christmas list and want to get a good winter jacket that will keep me warm and dry in about 30 degree weather. I found an Endura Flyte jacket that looks good: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=17968
Then I found this one from Showers Pass:http://www.westernbikeworks.com/product/showers-pass-touring-jacket anyone have any experience with either of these or another that they would recommend? Thanks.

I love my Gore Bike Wear Phantom II jacket... By itself it probably isn't warm enough for 30-degree temps, though. With a Craft WindStopper base layer, I use it down into the 40's. Not sure how it would fair in a torrential downpour. I've used it in light rain and stayed perfectly dry. I love the fact that it has three pockets in the back, just like a jersey, and the sleeves zip off making it great for Fall riding, too. Sizing is comparable to a "club cut" jersey.

I like the jacket from
http://www.bicycleclothing.com/

which I pair with a base layer and a Performance Bike zipped sweatshirt.

Here is what I wear and love the jacket.
http://www.rei.com/product/766288
Yellow of course.:):)

Hi all, I am putting together my Christmas list and want to get a good winter jacket that will keep me warm and dry in about 30 degree weather. I found an Endura Flyte jacket that looks good: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=17968
Then I found this one from Showers Pass:http://www.westernbikeworks.com/product/showers-pass-touring-jacket anyone have any experience with either of these or another that they would recommend? Thanks.

I have a jacket that I bought when I was a little larger, that on it's own is good to about 10℃, add a mid-layer under it and it's good to 0℃ don't often ride colder then that, because I don't feel the need to, I switch to hiking for outdoor winter activity, might get a pair of snowshoes now that I live in a place where there is maybe one car left that doesn't have snow tires on it (mine and they are being installed this afternoon).

I can only offer general advice and not something clothing specific. I am a year round commuter and to do so I have different jackets for different purposes. In fact all of my jackets combined don't come out to the cost of one of the jackets in your post.

I have a light windbreaker (60-40 degrees), a slightly heavier windbreaker (40-30 degrees), a rain jacket (depends on the situation), and a softshell jacket (20 degrees and lower). I can mix and match and vary what i use depending on the conditions. I also layer depending on the situation.

The outer shell is to provide protection against the elements and helps with some temperature control. A base layer helps to regulate core temperature. I also may add an insulating layer depending on the situation.

My suggestion is to check out the winter forum. They usually have a thread which details what people wear and in what conditions.

Hi all, I am putting together my Christmas list and want to get a good winter jacket that will keep me warm and dry in about 30 degree weather. I found an Endura Flyte jacket that looks good: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=17968
Then I found this one from Showers Pass:http://www.westernbikeworks.com/product/showers-pass-touring-jacket anyone have any experience with either of these or another that they would recommend? Thanks.

That looks like a packable jacket - you're paying extra for the ability to stuff it into a jersey pocket. I have one of these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17899

Great in 30F with a light wool baselayer, IMO it's probably good down to sub-20F with a heavier baselayer. It is a softshell jacket, though, so it's not good for MTB riding through any brush. I really like the zippered vents under the arms, too. The light tab on the back is a good added feature, too, if you cycle in the dark.

Watch the sizing, though. I normally wear XL or even XXL cycling wear, but my XL Endura jacket is a tad too big and an L would probably be best for me - even at 200+ lbs and a 44" chest. Since I got it in a closeout sale I took what I could get.

I bought a merino wool sweater at the thrift shop, and for 30 degree weather (0 celsius) I wear that over whatever shirt I'm wearing, plus my breathable rain shell. It works fine down to -3 celsius, I haven't tried it colder than that. The rain shell I got is the Sugoi Hydrolite, which I really like. But any rain shell should be the same.

People have very strong opinions on particular jackets. A lot of cyclists like the Shower Pass ones, although I can't figure out why for the life of me.

Layering is your friend. If it goes down to 30 F in central Pennsylvania, it probably doesn't stay there all the time, and a jacket that has you bundled up like an eskimo is going to be uncomfortable when it's 50 F outside. Worse, there are days when it's a balmy 55 degrees out and sunny when you leave, but dark and 35 F when you get home. Or, you might decide to climb some hills, and get really warm from the effort. The way you deal with that is by getting a light weight jacket ( "outer shell" ) that protects you from the elements, and an insulation layer that you can take on or off as the conditions demand. This approach is typically cheaper, on top of being more versatile, compared to a wonder jacket.

I originally purchased the Showers Pass Elite 2.0 but exchanged it for the Touring Jacket as the sleeves and tail on the Elite 2.0 we're just too long for me. Then I exchanged the Touring Jacket for the Club Pro jacket as the drop down tail on the Touring Jacket kept on getting caught on my seat when getting off the bike and the neck was too tight for my 17 1/2 neck. While the pit vents on the Touring Jacket are slightly better than the Club Pro, the Club Pro is a much lighter weight, still vents well, and is a much better fit. I'm very happy with the Club Pro Jacket and wore it last night in 26 degree temps with an REI Lightweight Polartec Power Dry Zip-T as a base and was very comfortable.

Thanks for all the input everyone. I ended up visiting my LBS on Monday and they had an Endura Gridlock in my size and I liked the fit so it ended up in my Christmas pile. Bummed I have to wait until Christmas to use it though. the bike shops around here usually don't carry that much apparel but I guess I was in the right shop at the right time.

I wear a Pearl Izumi long sleeve base layer (any good base layer will work), a Louise Garneu Thermal Elite shirt and a Gore Phantom jacket. I wear a Nashbar tight under a pair of cheap Target nylon athletic pants. On my head a beanie and a balaclava. This week has seen temps in the mid to low 20's with 8-10 mph winds. It's a little cold to start (but you want that); within ten minutes I'm fairly warm. My arms stay a little cool; the rest is pretty good. I ride about 20 minutes to work.

The Gore Phantom is not going to work in a downpour, because the back is not water proof. Gore recommends a shell to wear on top.